Fishing Reports

An update on the fire: Highway 84 (Norris Rd) is totally open and back to the posted 70MPH speed. The fire is 97% contained last report we checked and is a non-issue now. People are asked to recreate in other areas. Lower Maddy access closed through July 9th

Call the fly shop for info and patterns 406-333-4401

July 2nd, 2012

Recorded:

85 ° F

Fishing: Great

Salmonfly! Bugs are up around Lyons Bridge and into the walk/wade section. Fishing has been really good with goldenstone and sally emergences coming on strong as well. Caddis are running around like crazy and reports have been that the late evening ugs bite has been really good.

Guides are reporting fishing big, black, and heavy stonefly nymphs with a smaller beadhead caddis or mayfly patterns in the heavier runs as well as in the middle of the river will get you a tight line. Seems fish are spreading out throughout the river now that there has been considerable pressure to the banks. The Dry fly bite has been really good or not so much depending upon who you talk to. Seems everyone is tossing a huge salmonfly dry. Maybe think about switching to something a little smaller might work. Just saying....

You won't be alone on the Upper at all, period. That said, take a minute to reflect on being a good neighbor and let's all work to get along. It's not a contest. It's fishing... Isn't this supposed to be the "quiet sport"? Let's work together to have a good time out there and not be discourteous to our fellow angling brethren.

Stay Tuned for continuing river reports. Stop by the shop and check out our selection of salmonflies and other patterns. We'll be happy to help you with any of your fly fishing needs. Open 7 days a week.

July 2nd, 2012

Recorded:

85 ° F

Fishing: Excellent

Yellowstone is on fire right now! The river has continued to drop and is right around 7,000 cfs at Corwin. Color is perfect and has almost 3 feet of visibility. There's a tint of green to it but it's really gone clear in the last 48 hours. The salmonfly hatch is moving upstream super fast as the 90 degree heat has the bugs hopping. Salmonflies are emerging all the way up to Gardiner with concentrations still in Yankee Jim Canyon. Dry fly fishing has been off the hook! Lots of goldenstones as well as yellow sallies, caddis, and PMDs present as well.

Plenty of fish being taken on big salmonfly dry patterns cast super tight to the bank and structure. The bigger fish are getting wary to sloppiness however! It's got to be a really good drift to get them to look. Goldenstone patterns as well as other smaller (in comparison) dries are working equally if not better than the salmonflies in some areas.

We will be keeping you informed of what's going on here on our Home river! We are open 7-days a week. Feel free to give a call 406-333-4401 for up to the minute conditions. And we look forward to you stopping by!

Other areas to fish in Paradise Valley to report on: Big Creek has been pretty good. Water is definitely in good shape. It's still ripping along so the key is to find the good pocket water and structure. Simple attractor dries will rule. Mill Creek: pretty much the same thing.

June 29th, 2012

Recorded:

85 ° F

Fishing: Poor

An update on the fire: Reports are that the road is re-opened although as hot spots ignite and burn areas not already torched, pilot cars may be used for bringing people through. The fire started by careless use of fireworks has not ripped through the area and burned over 14,000 acres! Recreation in the area remains closed.

Call the fly shop for info and patterns 406-333-4401

June 28th, 2012

Recorded:

85 ° F

Fishing: Great

Salmonfly! Big Bugs are in the Pallisades to Ruby Creek stretch and a good emergence is underway heading up above toward Windy Point and Lyons bridge. Good goldenstone and sally emergence coming on strong as well. Caddis are running around like crazy and reports have been that the late evening caddis bite has been really good.

Guides are reporting fishing big, black, and heavy stonefly nymphs with a smaller beadhead caddis or mayfly patterns in the heavier runs as well as in the middle of the river will get you a tight line. Seems fish are spreading out throughout the river now that there has been considerable pressure to the banks. The Dry fly bite has been really good or not so much depending upon who you talk to. Seems everyone is tossing a huge salmonfly dry. Maybe think about switching to something a little smaller might work. Just saying....

You won't be alone on the Upper at all, period. That said, take a minute to reflect on being a good neighbor and let's all work to get along. It's not a contest. It's fishing... Isn't this supposed to be the "quiet sport"? Let's work together to have a good time out there and not be discourteous to our fellow angling brethren.

Stay Tuned for continuing river reports. Stop by the shop and check out our selection of salmonflies and other patterns. We'll be happy to help you with any of your fly fishing needs. Open 7 days a week.

June 28th, 2012

Recorded:

80 ° F

Fishing: Great

Park fishing is really starting to spread out now. Pretty much most waters that anglers traditionally come to the Park to fish are good.
So, what's going on? Transition Time in the Park! PMDs and Caddis are the primary hatches that have things slowing down in the NW Park area. However, the NE corner is coming on quickly and things are starting to fish very well. The Firehole has been seeing water temps spiking upwards with the hot dry weather we are experiencing. Time to look elsewhere. In the area though, the Little Firehole is running quite cool. It doesn't get the thermal influence and fish will migrate to this creek and other tribs that remain cool. Hence the Madison in the Park is getting too warm as well. On the other hand, Soda Butte has been picking up and fishing quite well.n As is Slough Creek. Flows are still up a bit, but definitely good. The Lamar is very close to coming on, flows here need to drop just a bit more to be good.

We have an excellent selection of Park Waters flies as well as licenses, Non-toxic shot and all other fly flinging needs here at the shop, Be SURE to stop by on your way! We'll HAPPILY help you with where to go and how to do it. Open 7 days a week 8-5:30 at the flashing yellow light, Emigrant, MT- The HEART of Paradise Valley.